TAKEN FOR A HORSE-THIEF.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 22, 31 May 1890, Page 18

TAKEN FOR A HORSE-THIEF.

W HILE we were in camp at Lost Canon, Colorado, we were greatly I disturbed one morning by the dis- " covery that ‘ Rob,' my brother ' John's favourite riding horse, was missing. My brother, I should perhaps explain, was superintendent of a railway survey party which had been in the West for several seasons. I had but recently joined the party. The other animals of our little train were on hand, as usual, but this fine horse, which, every morning, as regularly as the sun rose, came whinnying to the camp, fire for his accustomed treat of cold biscuit, which John never failed to have laid by for him, was absent. A careful search of the ground where the horses had l>een grazing led to the finding of several suspicious signs. First, there wa- the track of a shod horse, whereas all ot ours were un~hod : secondly, a half-masticated quid of tobacco, still moist, an article which none of us used in that form except • < ild Joe,' and he had not l»een in that part of the canon for ~exer.il days; ami thirdly, some shreds of woollen yarn hanging on a grease-wood bush, such as might have l>een torn away from a saddle blanket. We followed the trail of the shod horse for a mile or two up on the /«<■.«<, in the direction of the ranches on the Mancos, but there we lost it. Returning to the camp. John saddled one of the other horses ami rode over to the Mancos to make inquiries of the ranchers there, but returned without having learned anything either of the horse or of the thief. We were all satisfied that the horse had Iteen stolen, and all, esjiecially John, were angrv. To steal a horse in that country, where a man'' comfort ami often his life depends upon his lieing well mounted, is considered a capital crime. Hail the thief fallen into our hands, he would have met with but little mercy. . I hit the third morning after ‘ Rob's' disappearance we heard hi' familiar whinny as he lesl up the l>and, as usual for his morning ration. Though as John used to say, he could do ■ everything but talk,' we could never find out where he had la-en during his three days’ absence, or how he had manager! to get Imck. Al»mt a week afterward it became necessary for John to go to Animas City to replenish our st<K’k of'food; but on The evening liefore he was to start, in driving up the horses, • Brimstone,’ a vicious bronco, aimed a kick at him which,

striking the knee. so disabled him that lie could not sit in the saddle without great discomfort, and it was decided that I should make the trip in his place. I wa- a stranger in that country. a-~ I have said, but the trail was an easy one to follow, and I started early in the morning, riding ‘Rob’ ami leading one of the other horses upon which to pack back the supplies. John had a tine new apart jo, or pack saddle, in Animas, which 1 was to get and use on the return journey, so I took none with me. I was to stop at Parrott City over night, ride down to Animas, make my purchases, return to Parrott, stay there the second night, and then return to camp. I reached Parrott, and as I rode down the one street of the city, I noticed that I seemed to lie an object of interest to every one I met —all men. for there was not a woman or child at that time in the place, except the old French landlady of the ‘ Miner’s Rest.’ Every one whom I met would stop, look at me, then at the horses, and, turning, gaze after me as I kept on toward the hotel. They began to collect in groups, and to follow me as I rode along. Why I should thus lie the ‘ cynosure of every eye ’ I could not at first imagine. I was neither so handsome nor so ugly as to attract especial attention, and surely the presence of a stranger was not so uncommon a thing in that part of the country as thus to excite a whole community. Finally I decider! that it must lie the horses, for both •Rob’ and ‘Witch’ were fine animals, and I knew that every man in that section was interested in a good horse. By the time I had put up my beasts and ordered supper there were at least a dozen men collected at the hotel, looking at and evidently talking about me. While I was at the table I could see them peering in at the window and open door, and I began to feel somewhat annoyed by their uncivil curiosity, so different from anything I hail before met with in the West. By the time I had finished and sauntered ont to the porch the crowd bail increased to the number of at least thirty, and I seemed to detect a threatening air in their muttered talk and sidelong glances at me. As I sat down in one of the battered chairs, the crowd, as by common consent, massed together at the foot of the steps leading up to the porch, and what seemed to be a committee of investigation detached itself from the rest, and came up to where I sat. The foremost, a small, quiet man, with a grizzled beard and a cool gray eye, drew near and addressed me. ‘Stranger, I’d like to ask yon a few questions,’ he said, gravely. ‘All right, drive on !’ I answered, curtly, for I was beginning to "row angry at what I considered the impertinent attention ot which I was the object. ‘ What might your name be ?’ ‘ It might be Smith,’ I replied, derisively. ‘ And where might you be from ?' ‘China’ ‘ Where did you get that horse you’re riding?’ ‘Stole him. of course !’ sarcastically. ‘ Reckon you did : but you are pretty cheeky to acknowledge it. I’m the sheriff of this county, and I’ll have to ask you to come with me.' ‘Come with you ? Where? What do you mean ?’ ‘ I mean I’llliave to arrest you till this matter is settled.’ ‘Arrest me I What matter?’ I gasped, thoroughly taken aback. ‘Till you can prove how you eame by that horse.’ ‘ What do you mean ? You don’t take me for a horsethief, do you ?’ ‘ That’s just it, so come along '.’ ‘Pshaw!’ broke in another of the committee. ‘What's the use talking ? Haint he split on himself and ’knowleged he stole the boss ?’ ‘ But, gentlemen.’ I spoke up, alarmed, for matters seemed to lie growing serious, ‘ it’s all a mistake. The horse is mine, or at least my brother’s.’ • Mebbe your brother’s name is Smith, too?' queried one of the committee, grimly sarcastic. ‘ The way of it is just this,’ broke in the sheriff. ‘ < Ine of these horses you have here. I think, is John Percy’s riding horse, and when I was over on the Mancos about a week ago he told me he’d l>een stolen —’ ‘Yes,’l intei rupted. eagerly, ‘so he was. but became home the next day.’ ‘That’s too thin,’ growled one of the others, while the sheriff’went on : ‘And I promised to keep a 100.-ollt fer him. You may lie his brother, as you say,’ he added, doubtfully, ‘ but I’ve known him for ten years, and never knew be had*a brother. Besides you and he don’t favour each other very much.' That was true : two brothers were never probably more unlike in personal appearance than John and I. He was of medium height, massively built, with coal-black hair and eyes. I was tall, slender, and very decidedly blond. ‘ But I tell you I am his brother '.’ I answered energetically. ‘ Haven't you got anything aliout you that will prove it ?’ 1 searched my pockets thoroughly, but I could not find a scrap of anything to prove my personal identity. My noteIsHik and a few letters, addressed to myself, I had left in my other coat. The crowd, which by this time had surged up the steps, began to growl ominously. The sheriff’went on : ‘ If you are Percy’s brother, what are you doing over here ? He told me he* was camped on Lost Canon, and was going to leave for Montezuma Yalley in a few days.’

• So we aie, ami 1 am on my way to Animas to get some provisions before we move.’ ‘ How are you goin’ to git it over ?’ asked one of the crowd. ‘ Pack it on the other horse. ’ ‘ Ye haint got no pack saddle, and even ef ye lie a tenderfoot, ye ought to know ye can’t ]>aek grub on a l>arel>ack hoes. ’ • But John has an a purr jo in Animas, and I am going to get it.’ ‘ Whar's the happy-rayo at ?’ Just then, when I needed it most, my treacherous memory played me false. For the life of me- and it began to look as if it were for my life, indeed—l could not remember the name of the man in whose care the a/tarejo was left. The crowd watched me with lowering looks, and the growls, meanwhile, were becoming more ominous than ever. Another investigator spoke up : ‘ Where did ye get that hoss ye’re leading ?’ ‘ She’s John’s, too.’ ‘ Bought her mighty lately, then. Didn't have her last summer when I saw him in Silverton. ’ As I did not know when John had bought the mare, I could say nothing. ‘ Boys,' went on the other, ‘ I'm blamed ef 1 don’t b’lieve that's the mar' was stole from Jim Pate at Hermosa a couple o’ months ago.’ • Didn’t he say it was a bay filly, four year old, with a white star in her"forrid ?’ ‘ That's so ! That’s the critter! He's stole 'em both! Hang him ! hang the hoss-thief I Fetch a rope ! Stretch his neck fer him !’ were some of the cries that broke from the crowd, and a rush was made in my direction. The sheriff hail been standing quietly by, while this colloquy was going forward. But now, quick as a flash, lie caught me by the arm, with a grip of steel, whirled me behind him, and the long barrel of his revolver was levelled in the face of the angry mob. ‘ None of that, boys,’ he said, coolly. ‘ No hanging here, please.’ ‘ But he's a horse- thief !' yelled some in the crowd. ‘ Maybe he is, though I don’t more than half believe it. But even if he is, I’m the sheriff’of the county and it’s my place to see he has a fair trial. Come, now, "boys, I don't want any fuss, but—you—can't hare—this—man !’ and each word fell with a slow ringing determination in the aceent, which showed the mettle of the man. The crowd evidently knew that he was determined, for no one stirred, and there was dead silence for a minute, till some one in the rear called out : ‘ What ye feared of ? Coin’ ter let one man bluff’ ye ? Make a rush. He won’t shoot nobody. ’ ‘Ah, Bob Lowder, is that you? Spoilin'for a tight, as nsutd ! If you wan’t the man why don’t you come and take him ? Stand back, boys, and give Lowder a chanee to show his “ sand.’” » The shot told ; and with the proverbial fickleness of a mob, the men burst out laughing, while cries went up : ‘ That’s it !’ ‘ Give Lowder a chance !' ‘ Pitch in, Bob !’ ‘ Ye ain’t afeard o’ one man!’ ‘ Oh, no, Harry Lee won't shoot !’ But Lowder failed to come forward, and Lee turning to me, said, ‘ Well, cap, I don’t more than half believe you’re a horse-thief, but I'll have to take care of jon till we can straighten this thing out. Come, boys, go home and go to bed. I’ll tend to this man.' ‘ But,’ I objected, growing bolder as the danger seemed to lessen, ‘you have no warrant for me and you have no right to arrest me without one.’ • Well, we don’t go much on warrants out in this country ; but if you insist on it, these boys can furnish you with one in five minutes, signed by Judge Lynch.’ The hint was sufficient for me, and saying, laughingly, ‘ Thank you : I believe I will not insist on it,’ I follower! him through the crowd of roughly dressed miners, which opener! to let us pass. As soon as we were out of the crowd ami away from the hotel, he said to me, ‘ Lucky for ye I was here to-night. Those fellows are pretty well stirred up. There’ve a good many horses been stole around here lately ; and they've sworn to hang the first horse-thief they catch. They’re sober now ; but if they get a little liquor in them—and they seem to be stringing over to Lowder's saloon—there’ll be trouble. By the way, I’ll trouble you for your pistol.' I gave it to him, objecting at the same time and remarking that if there were to be a fight, it would be as well that both of us should be armed. ‘ But there aint going to be any tight : I’m going to slip you off up the gulch, and if those fellows, when they get good and drunk, want to tackle an empty cabin, why let em. I have got to take you to Animas, and I’ll do it, dead or alive.’ I hastened to assure him that he need fear no attempt at escape on my part. We soon reached his cabin. As we entered it he said : ‘ Hold on. I’ve got a better idea than that gulch business. I say, Jim !’ and a boy about sixteen years old made his apjiearance. whom I afterward found to be bis son. ‘ Jim. go and saddle old Dick, and ride up the Mancos trail. If anybody sees you. tell him you aregoing up to the saw-mill to see Nellie. You go there sometimes, don’t you ?’ ‘ Yes. sir,’ the lad answered, with a blush. • Well, when you come to the old I’te trail turn off’, and it’ll lead you into the Animas road, just below the ford. Hitch Dick there and slip up the creek to the hotel. Tell Mam Frenchy I sent you after the two horses this man left there. Take ’em down the creek to the ford, and we’ll meet you there.’ Jim departed : and Lee said to me, * We ll slip out of the back door and into the brush and make for the ford. Wait till 1 strike a light, so if anybody’s watching they’ll think we are here. ’ The lamp lighted, we stole out at the back doffrand in a minute were safely hidden in the brush which clothed the mountain side. Striking into a trail that led along the side hill, half an hour's brisk walk brought us to the font, upon the hither side of which we found old Dick hitched to a sapling. After a half hour of waiting, which I improved in strengthening Lee's impression that I had told the truth, we heard a clatter of hoofs up the road. Pulling me back into the thick bushes, Lee waited till the rider or riderwere within a hundred yards or SO, when he gave twice a

low, mournful hoot like that of the small barred owl. It was answered from the road, and we stepped out, as Jim came up riding ‘ Rob ’ and leading the mare, both saddled and bridled. ‘They saw me,' Jim gasped out. breathlessly, ‘just as I was getting out of the corral, ami hollered to me to stop. There was Bob Lowder and big Aleck and <’al>el Jones and about a dozen more. I didn't stop, and they fired at me. bnt they didn't hit me.’ ‘ I'll settle with Bob Lowder for that,’ growled Lee. • I knew they would catch me in the brush, so I took to rhe road and came a-whooping,’ said Jim. ‘ I reckon they've gone for their horses and will be after us pretty quick. They seemed to be just drunk enough to play the mischief. There they come now !’ as the breeze bore to our ears the faint tramp of hoofs from up the road. While Jim was talking, Lee had mounted old Dick and I had sprung to the saddle of the mare. • What kind of a beast is she?’ asked Lee. as we plunged into the ford. ‘ Who, the “ Witch ?’’ Fastest horse in the country next to Rob here.’ said I. ‘ Well, old Dick ean keep up with the funeral, I guess ;' ami we eli nbed the further bank and dashed away at full speed. Having ridden about three miles, we pulled up and listened. No sound Itehind. •Guess they've given it up for a bad job,' said Jim : and we rode on at an easier pace. Just as we were entering Animas. I happened to remember that I had met, two or three months before, in Silverton, the landlord of the Animas City hotel, and mentioning this circumstance to Lee, I suggested that before he took me to the lock-up. we should ride around to the hotel and see whether he could identify me. Lee agreed, and we were soon hammering at the hotel door, which was opened by the yawning landlord, halfdressed and with a lamp in his hand. ‘ Hullo, sheriff! That you ? What ye doing here at this time o' night ?’ he drawled out. • Do you know this man. Cummings?' asked Lee. • I—ah !—let me see.' said the sleepy landlord, holding up the lamp and peering into my face, while I waited anxiously, for I feared, should the test fail, that Lee's confidence in me would lie badly shaken. ■ I—no—yes ; it's Mr Percy, brother of John Percy of Silverton.’ • Sure of it ?’ ■ Well. John introduced him to me a.~ his brother, and I reckon he ought to know.' ■ Yes. I reckon so. Well. Mr Percy, I'm glad it's all right, and if you are ever taken up again for horse-stealing, you can call on me.’ The matter was explained to the wondering landlord, and we all went to bed. The next day, having made my purchases. Lee, Jim and I returned to Parrott City, where the sheriffs explanation set me all right. I afterwards l>ecame very well acquainted with many of my would-be lynchers and had many a joke with them over the time when they were so earnestly bent upon hanging me as a horse-thief. H. P. Ufford.